Grammar Exercise: Quantifiers

Do you know when to use (a) few, (a) little, a lot and lots of? Have a look at our page on Quantifiers in English, then try the quiz below.

Level: Elementary and above

1. There are __ biscuits in the packet.

a few

a little

a lot

Use 'a few' with plural, countable nouns. ('Biscuits' is a plural, countable noun because the 's' shows it's plural, and because you can count the number of biscuits.)

2. We've got __ time before the plane leaves.

a few

a little

a lot

Use 'a little' before uncountable nouns. ('Time' is uncountable. Some nouns are 'concept' nouns, and these nouns are uncountable. You can count hours and minutes, but not the general concept of time.)

3. 'Few of my students remember the third person singular 's' ending on verbs'' means that::

not many students understand (maybe 2 or 3)

some students understand (maybe 6 or 7)

none of my students understand (0 students)

'Few' is less in number than 'a few'. For example, a few = 5 or 6, but few = 2 or 3.

4. He always gets __ presents than his sister on his birthday.

a lot of

fewer

less

'Fewer' is the comparative form of 'few'.

5. I have __ money than you.

a lot

fewer

less

'Less' is the comparative form of 'little'. Use it with uncountable nouns.

6. There are __ people in the supermarket today.

a lot

fewer

little

Use 'fewer' with plural countable nouns. ('Little' means 'small' when you use it as an adjective.)

7. She has __ friends.

lot of

lots of

a lot

Use 'lots of' to mean 'many'.

8. He earns __ money.

a lot

a lot of

lots

Be careful: a common mistake is to use 'a lot' or 'lots' instead of 'a lot of' or 'lots of' before the noun.

9. She wears __ gold jewellery.

lots

a lot

lots of

This is the same for both plural, countable and uncountable nouns. The correct form is 'lots of' or 'a lot of' - not 'lots' or 'a lot' before the noun.

10. He eats __.

lots of

a lot

fewer

'A lot' is an adverb. It describes the verb (in this example 'eats').

11. Do you like hip-hop music?Yes, __

lots of

much

a lot

You can also use 'a lot' in short answers.

12. There's __ money in my wallet.

few

much

a little

Remember: 'money' is an uncountable noun.

13. They have __ information on their website.

much

few

very little

You can also use 'very' before 'little' or 'few' to show that there isn't very much of something. (Remember: 'information' is an uncountable noun.)

14. They have __ customers.

very little

very few

a lot

'Customers' is a plural, countable noun.

15. He eats __ sweet food.

lots of

few

a lot

16. He has __ free time.

lots

few

a lot of

Remember: you can use both 'a lot of' and 'lots of' with plural and uncountable nouns (but not 'lots' or 'a lot' before the noun.)

17. There's only __ milk left in the fridge.

lots

a few

a little

Milk, like all liquids, is uncountable.

18. You smoke __

much

a lot

few

19. He doesn't earn __

fewer

little

a lot

20. I have __ good friends.

a few

a lot

little

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11 comments

Zovell+1Heno ErlanggaI must to learn more.Sarah Cao+1AnwarI really enjoyed the exercise! but please can you explain me the difference of using (lots-alot-alot of)& I'm greatfulClareHere's a grammar page on lots / a lot / a lot of:http://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/few/KumpelzosIt was the very useful exercise.pippookCandythank yousmsomathanks a lot :)EfgieThanks for the practice test. It's a good refresher.suthait's useful for study

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